The Marshall Area Garden Club's 25th "Welcome to My Garden" tour is just around the corner. Below is a preview of this year's 6 gardens.

25th Annual Garden Marshall Area Tour Is July 11 & 12Saturday and Sunday (July 11 and 12) is the 25th
annual Marshall Area Garden Club's "Welcome To My Garden" Tour. Hours
are 10am-4pm rain or shine both days. On garden tour days tickets may
be purchased for $12 at the NE corner of the round
about (Fountain Circle). Tickets at a discounted price may be
purchased in advance of the tour at the Marshall Welcome Center or from
many local merchants. For more information call 269-781-5434 or visit
the club website
marshallareagardenclub.org Also find the club on Facebook.

The gardens range in size from large estate to small City lot and four
of the gardens are on tour for the first time. Tour guest will find
beautiful collections of perennials, colorful annuals, plants in
re-purposed containers, fairy gardens, bamboo, 200
year old Oak Trees, specimen trees and shrubs, pools, ponds, water
features, hardscapes, potting sheds, out buildings, outdoor
entertainment spaces, restful screened in porches, garden art, statuary,
and a log cabin that Win Schuler built in the 1950s, for
his card playing and cigar smoking. A handmade quilt will be displayed
in each of the gardens to highlight the fact that a quilt show is also
open to the public at the Marshall High School the same days as the
Garden Tour.

The proceeds from the tour are used by the Garden Club to fund community
projects. The flower plantings around the Fountain Circle and the
garden at Carver Park at the East end of the Downtown Area are examples
of some Garden Club projects. The objectives
of the club stimulate the love of gardening, encourage home and
community beautification, promote better horticultural practice, and
encourage all forms of conservation.

A Garden Market will also be on July 11-12 at 619 S. Marshall Ave. The
Market hours are10am-5pm. Shop for an assortment of garden items
including plants, honey hoes, t-shirts, art, antiques & accessories.
Turn south from E. Michigan Ave. on S. Marshall
Ave., and drive 1/2 mile to corner of Fair St. and S. Marshall Ave.,
located next to the Fairgrounds, behind the B.E. Henry Building. For
more information about the Market call 269-781-9291.

The Cal-Co Quilters Guild is holding it’s annual show "Quilts In Bloom"
both days 10am-4pm at Marshall High School. Includes over 200 quilts,
items for sale and a quilt raffle. More information at
www.calcoquiltersguild.com.
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1. Crosby Garden 609 Ventura Way. This small urban
garden is approximately 20 years old, and includes some perennials from
their old home in Marshall. Two featured trees are the Dawn Redwood and
Witch Hazel. The owners enjoy some statuary
and wind chimes. Some of the garden is undeveloped, as the eating
habits of surrounding wildlife are a constant challenge. According to
the owners, they try something new and different every year with mixed
success, but it’s fun to try!

2. Samra Garden 609 N. Kalamazoo Avenue. The deep
backyard provides privacy and serenity for this family. Among the
centuries-old oak trees are many shade-loving plants and bushes, and a
mix of colorful annuals and hardy perennials such as
hosta, astilbe, and lilies. The grounds include: a log cabin that the
Schuler family added in the 1950s, an eat-in potting shed, and a storage
area recently repurposed into a bar for entertaining. The pool and
waterfall add tranquil touches to this spacious
yard.

3. Clark Garden 403 N. Kalamazoo Avenue. Only 5 years
old, this city garden provides a soothing and relaxing space for the
owners. Large hostas are among their favorites, and many are “babies”
from mother plants in the garden. The tall pine
trees that border the property provide a great backdrop for
picture-taking. The featured birdbath was a gift from their daughter
over 20 years ago, and was moved to this garden when they purchased the
home.

4. Love Garden 419 Brewer Street. In 5 short years, the
owners have brought in a variety of trees, shrubs, and plants that
transformed this blank slate into a beautiful greenspace. Using
perennials and annuals, as well as some unique re-purposed
containers, this garden is a surprising cool oasis in the city. The
public face of the garden displays three shapely crab trees and seasonal
window boxes that thrive in the sun, while the backyard features a
shade-loving landscape.

5. Franke Garden 410 N. Eagle Street. Stately oak trees
surround this historic home and shelter your walk up the hill to the
peaceful vista. Thirty years of gardening showcase the joys of mature
plantings in this 30-acre park-like setting,
known as “Oakhill.” The surrounding outbuildings, the Pub and the
Playhouse, are beautifully landscaped, adding charm and whimsy to this
grand home. Relax, stroll slowly, and feel like you are visiting a home
from another era.

6. Overhiser Garden 215 N. Marshall Avenue. This 10-year
old garden is a Hosta “Farm,” taking full advantage of this small city
lot. The owner grows Hosta from seed and has registered some of his
favorites. Other plants, shrubs, grasses, and
statuary are located harmoniously in the landscape. Specimen trees
include Ginkgo, Red Maple, Dawn Redwood, Red Bud, and Paw Paw. A new
water feature and sitting area has become the main outdoor rest and
gathering space.